In the very early days of startup life, many technology companies don't readily have the resources to file for patent protection because they need investors.  And investors are reticent to provide funding without an indication that patent protection for the invention or concept is underway.  

There is a relatively low-cost solution that can satisfy all concerned, and the solution is a patentability opinion.

It may come as a surprise to many, but most ideas, concepts, and formats are not per se protectable as forms of intellectual property, which means these forms are free for the taking unless an entrepreneur takes additional steps. The steps an entrepreneur can take to protect ideas, concepts, and formats involve utilizing confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, and/or protecting the expression of the idea through the copyright, trademark, and patent process.

Earlier this year I had the great pleasure of being interviewed on the Arkansas World Trade Center GATEWAYS Podcast. We had a blast talking about what makes a business succeed where others fail.  Doing business on the world stage is no different. The same legal secrets apply.

BODACIOUS Secret No. 1: Protect Ideas